Simon Renard

Simon Renard (1513-8 August 1573) was a Spanish diplomat from Franche-Comte.

Biography
Simon Renard was born in Vesoul, Franche-Comte in 1513, and he became an advisor to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and his son Philip II of Spain, both of whom were counts of Renard's home region of Burgundy. He became Master of Requests in Ordinary in the Emperor's household, and he served as Spain's ambassador to France and England under Philip. As ambassador to England, he was influential during the reign of Queen Mary I of England, who married Philip under Renard's influence. Until Mary's marriage to Philip, he was thought to be in control of the English government. Renard was recalled from England, at his own request, in 1555, and he remained an adviser on English affairs to King Philip. He died in 1573.